EarSonics Blade

Fit, Build & Isolation
The new hybrid lineup is a new form factor altogether for Earsonics universal IEMs : the inner part of the shell is acrylic while the faceplate is metal. Both Blade an Stark feature the same build, metal color is the only difference between the two. This is a clear departure from the legacy line up, the build quality is flawless and the Blade looks as sturdy as it comes both the metal obviously but the acrylic as well. It’s much heavier IEM than previous generations.

Fit was somewhat complicated for me, as is the case for shallower fitting IEM given my quite large and deep ear canal. Even my usual Flare Earfoams only partially did the trick, especially on the go while moving. Obviously your mileage will vary on this front but a secure and comfortable fit was only achieved with the silicon custom tips Custom Art built for me. On the flip side the shell density certainly does wonder for isolation and the Blade isolates much more than average provided you have a seal it’s just as good as my customs.



Introduction
From its very beginning, Earsonics has always been associated with products targeted at pros : musicians, sound engineers and singers. They quickly gained a big share of the French pro market for customs but Earsonics became also well known in he audiophile world for its universal IEMs since the SM3 bestseller.I know the SM3 v2 was the first Earsonics model I owned and then I went on with the Velvet, the S-EM6 and S-EM9. I also own both their pro flagship custom the EM64 and the EM10 in the audiophile range. I have auditioned but do not own the Purple and the Grace, both universal inheriting quite a bit from their custom counterparts.

For the new generation Earsonics elected not only to totally change the build with a combination of metal and acrylic, but also – a first for the brand – no less than two hybrids offering featuring its first (8mm) dynamic driver. Blade is the entry offering into the new hybrid lineup and I was curious about the tuning choices Frank Lopez had done and what the dynamic driver would bring to the table. Blade is described on Earsonics product page as providing a « high performance and level of detail while remaining musical and natural ».

How does Blade sounds and does it hold its promise?

Let’s see!



Sound
The very first listen clearly painted a picture : unlike what its name might imply, Blade is a smooth IEM, with a relaxed but engaging signature. The bass is well extended with rich textures and remains quite fast for a dynamic, mids are full and smooth, treble is well extended with good energy. Blade soundstage is good with average width but very good height and good depth. Like its big brother Stark it features a remarkably black background and zero distorsion.

Bass
Blade bass is well extended with powerful sub bass and significant mid bass presence. Despite featuring the same 8mm driver than its bigger brother Stark, it doesn’t share its snappy attack, tightness and raw power. There is a bit less control than Stark as well but remains as fast. On the flipside bass is less prominent in the mix with more lower mids the continuity between bass and mids means Blade is more balanced.

This doesn’t mean Blade doesn’t feature powerful bass and a strong bass line, just less so than its bigger brother but still much more than the rest of the Earsonics lineup. There is no mistaking the dynamic driver bass and tracks like Lilly Wood and the Prick “Middle of the night” or Kat Frankie “Too Young” were quite the treat to my ears and inner closet bass-head from my Campfire Vega days.

Mids
Blade features a full bodied yet articulate midrange that remains smooth at all times. Where Stark took me by surprise as an Earsonics fan, with Blade I felt right at home in terms of midrange although the mids are closer to my memory of the original S-EM6 than the more recent Grace or EM10 that feature quite a bit more bite in the upper mids section.

Blade has significant lower mids presence and thus fuller bodied mids than the Stark. This provides male vocals a bit more power especially considering Blade mids are more forward as well than the Stark somewhat recessed vocal positioning. Tonally Blade is on the warmer side with a pleasing warmth to its mids that is not overdone either.

Upper mids are smooth with a bit more presence than Stark in the 4/5kHz range providing extra presence to instruments and for example saxophones have a bit more bite and overtones are richer than Stark. This is quite relative as Blade has rather safe upper mids for those who are sensitive to it no worries there. On the flipside those who appreciate a bit of bite and energy up there you might find yourself wanting. Blade is smooth first and foremost, with a touch of energy and bite but just a touch.

Treble
Blade treble section reveals a clear choice from Earsonics, it brings balance and air to a signature that would have been dark otherwise. Given its powerful bass and relatively warm and thick mids, Blade benefits from a welcome lower treble energy and upper treble extension.

The lower treble energy is spot on, and seems to be tuned to be level with the bass : enough to bring satisfying excitement, not so much that it would sound incoherent with the bass and mids tuning. This is masterfully done and I enjoyed tracks like The Whitest Boy Alive “Fireworks” or Spin Doctors “So Bad” very much with the Blade providing just the right amount of energy while remaining smooth at all times.

The upper treble section is equally well thought out, Blade is more extended than usual for this type of signature bringing welcome air to an IEM on the warmer and thicker side. It also helps imaging and resolution greatly and Blade is doing well there especially in its price range. This combined to a remarkable pitch black background combines to provide a very articulate albeit average sized stage.

Verdict
As a long standing fan of Earsonics IEMs, I was really curious what to expect from the introduction of dynamic drivers as the Velvet and Purple, are more than able to hold their own in the bass department. The mid tier hybrid market is quite dense and it definitely is challenging to take on best sellers like Dunu DK3001 Pro or ISN H40 to name a few.

Earsonics definitely added his trademark to the hybrid segment with a remarkable build quality for the price and it’s no wonder since it’s simply the same build than the much higher priced Stark with a different color. The all metal and opaque acrylic is impressive and a welcome departure from plastic. I do believe this comes into play in terms of the very low distorsion and the pitch black background which are both simply remarkable. Earsonics also showcase its tuning mastery with the Blade, their unique combination of smooth and engaging is faithfully there with the added power to bass brought by the dynamic driver and a bit more lively treble section as well.

If you’re looking for a smooth and engaging hybrid that feature powerful bass, a full bodied midrange and well extended exciting yet smooth treble then Earsonics Blade is a strong option in a crowded market. If you’re a Earsonics fan then this one should be a no brainer if you want the house sound with extra power in the bass and a clear step up in build quality. If you’re looking for a snappier, punchier hybrid from Earsonics then check my Stark review.


Listening notes
I spent approximately 40hours with the Blade, listening on Lotoo PAW Gold Touch and AAW Capri using the stock cable.

Special Thanks
Thanks to Max at Earsonics for providing a review unit of the Blade. The unit was returned at the end of the review period. As usual, this review is my honest opinion. No incentive was given for a favorable review.



Accessories

• BLADE with 4C HI-RES cable
• 4 Comply tips (various sizes)
• 8 silicon tips
• (various sizes)
• Cleaning tool
• Carrying box
• User manual

Bonjour, mes amis!

The early French spring bursts into our editorial office and all because it was from those wine and cheese regions that a package with wonderful contents came to us. Moreover, it seems to me that this will be one of the most interesting new products of the year - in-ear monitors with the intriguing name Blade from the French brand EarSonics.

Most recently, the company introduced the world two new IEM models, two brothers Blade and Stark. Both models have a similar appearance and hybrid design: Blade (2BA + 1DD) and Stark (4BA + 1DD).

Despite the rich experience of many years, the EarSonics Blade and Stark were the first hybrids, and the company approached the development of these IEMs with all responsibility. I can’t say anything about my elder brother, I haven’t had a chance to meet with him yet, but the younger one is stately, handsome and extremely vociferous. In my opinion and hearing, he deserves the closest attention.

I allow myself to take a short excursion into the glorious history of EarSonics, in case any of our readers are not familiar with it. ES engineers are the founding fathers who were at the forefront of creating IEM based on BA drivers. It was they, along with brands such as Westone, Shure and UE, who were the first to manufacture in-ear monitors and custom monitors based on 2, 3, 4 or more BA drivers / receivers.

My acquaintance with the products of this brand began a long time ago, about nine years ago, when I had the opportunity to listen to their models SM2 and SM3. A bit later, I used SM64, SM2-IFI, EarSonics Velvet and about a year ago S-EM6 V2. I already wrote reviews about the last three models.

From model to model, the company invariably retains its signature, intimate French style: a warm, musical and extremely comfortable sound with a light, like perfume aroma, charm. The exception, perhaps, was the model S-EM6 V2.

The hero of our review today, in my opinion, also has a number of noteworthy advantages regarding both the exterior and interior, which distinguishes him from his brothers in the brand. Moreover, I would even say that this art object with a strikingly beautiful voice is one of the best offers now in the audio market in terms of price / quality / design / sound ratio.


Well, let’s end now with a protracted introductory word and move on to get to know these brilliant in every way IEM!

Text: Alexey Kashirskey aka Hans Barbarossa



Specifications

Sensibility: 125 dB/mW

Frequency response: 10 Hz-20 kHz

DCR: 18, 5 ohms

Drivers: 1 DDynamic, 2 BA drivers with 3 way crossover.



Appearance, kit and ergonomics

These IEM are delivered in a neat black box, on the front side of which the brand name "Earsonics" is briefly and essentially in one line, its logo, the contents are indicated - "monitors" and a small French tricolor is placed. I agree, if the thing is “made in France”, sorry, “fabrique en France”, then sticking out is not necessary at all - and so everything is clear at a glance. Wow, little devils know how to make candy out of practically nothing.











From this package we fish out the “book” in which the heritage of the Fifth Republic is stored. We open it, and - voila! - already through the round windows they look at us, like the two metal eyes of a music lover robot, IEM themselves. Thanks below are written thanks and good wishes from Franck Lopez - a musician, sound engineer, founding father, as well as the CEO of EarSonics! Yes, French gallantry and charm are literally at every turn.

In the box, in addition to IEM with a nice silver-white cable, there are two pairs of foam tips of different sizes and a round hard case with a zipper, inside which we find four pairs of silicone tips and a brush for cleaning sound pipes. A brand manual and warranty card are also included.









With a complete set figured out, go to our Blade. These IEMs, as I mentioned above, are completely made of metal. As far as I know, designers used anodized zinc and magnesium. The textured IEM shell on top is similar to the contours of intergalactic alien ships from old sci-fi films. Moreover, the inner black-matte side of the case was cut in a semicircle by three lines emphasizing the bending of the shell.

I will not limit myself to fantasies and I will assume that this is a triple triumphal arch, announcing to us the glorious deeds that three drivers capable of skillfully hidden inside these IEM are capable of. Well, perhaps I should at least temporarily restrain my fantasies; otherwise, we will accelerate so far away.








The outer side of the shell is painted in “Gun metal” and in the very center, among the elegant stepped forms, contains a convex logo of the brand “ES”.

On top is a 2pin connector for connecting a cable. On the back of the IEM, we can find two compensation slots designed to properly configure the dynamic emitter, and just below the screw, one of those that fastens the two halves of this intricate art object.







Inside the metal structure is an acrylic 3D core, specially designed for the new IEM hybrid line with three emitters (1 DD / dynamic 8mm fulfills Lows and 2 BA: one is responsible for Mids, the second is for working out Highs). Each driver has a separate camera, which allowed engineers to carefully tune the sound of each of the emitters. In addition, the new impedance crossover corrector created by EarSonics, in combination with EVS and FUSION technologies, allows these IEMs to sound without any phase distortion, clearly, precisely and at the same time extremely musically.









Taking these IEM in hand, you understand that manufacturers did not save on materials. I immediately remember the main postulate of Boris The Blade from the Snatch movie: “Gravity is good. Heaviness is reliable ... "And despite the relative weight, they sit in the ear of Blade very easily and comfortably. Seriously, with prolonged wear I even forgot that I have two small graceful weights in my ears.












The build quality, in my opinion, is almost impeccable, which is not surprising, because these IEMs are assembled by hand and exclusively in France! Yes, Blade is truly a work of art.


The four-core cable is braided; it is unusually light, soft and elastic. TRS 3.5mm L-shaped connector with gilding, 2pin connectors, which make it easy to pick up another cable with the same connectors for IEM, if necessary. The cable is called the HI-RES 4C Silver cable - and this is another innovation of Earsonics, which, without a doubt, is beneficial to the sound.











Well, we figured out the external data and the Blade design, now let's move on to the main thing, to the sound!




Sound impressions

Blade was burn-in for 50 hours before use.

Listening was conducted with: MyST DAC 1866OCU V.2, Lotoo paw Gold, iBasso DX200 (AMP7), iBasso DX160, QLS QA-361, iFI xDSD, xCAN & iFI micro iDSD Black Lable.

With all the devices, these IEMs played out well.


I recommend a responsible approach to the process of selecting tips, as this makes a significant contribution to the creation of a sound picture.









It should be noted that EarSonics once again demonstrated their responsible and thoughtful approach to configuring their IEM.



I would describe the sound of ES Blade as well-balanced, comfortable, with excellent refinement of micro- and macro-nuances, a slightly forced section in the low-frequency register, smooth detailed Mids, a light and elegant accent in the mid-high frequency range and a refined, harmonious-sparkling, with a slight light accent, comfortable high-frequency range. Due to these correctly placed accents, any music plays out in a positive, vigorous manner, with a good rhythmic foundation and a worthy transmission of the emotional part.









The overall musical canvas emerges quite integrally, in contrast, with accurate and naturalistic transmission of sound tones. This is unusually “juicy”, massive, clean and at the same time melodic sound. Blade show a rather sprawling stereo panorama, with a good study of depth and accurate placement of sound images in space.



Frequency response Blade resembles a smooth W-shaped wave, where one register harmoniously flows into another. The result is unlimited drive, bubbling emotions and even interweaving of one frequency range with another. This sound falls in love with itself, intoxicates and charms from the first minutes of listening. You get extraordinary pleasure.







The beat is quite powerful, going to the very bottom, the bass parts sound rich, clear and distinct. Lows harmoniously cooperate with the mid-frequency range, not blocking it in any way, but only competently filling it with depth and a lively substantial substance. Bass elegantly and unobtrusively create a light velvety background and add mass to the overall sound.

The dynamic emitter is set up very intelligently, there is density, and peppy pace, and bumps, and a bit of sophisticated mannerism.



Mids are smooth, clean, detailed, with a light “tasty” color at the mid / high junction, because of this the vocal parts are conveyed especially expressively, and the stringed sounds sound so realistic that sometimes it seems like you can touch it yourself fingerboard or instrument deck with your fingers. The tones and reverbs are beautifully conveyed, in detail and at the same time with a touch of monumentality, musically, deeply and tirelessly. Blade show good detail and amazing visualization of sound images in space.



Treble is clear, precise and natural, without a hint of scattering or distortion. They, like stars in a clear night sky, flash beautifully, and then, fading, with after-tones merge into the general musical Milky Way. This register has a delicate accent, but it is served so beautifully and refinedly that it delivers nothing but pleasure. Highs are served cleanly and distinctly, without sharpness or any obvious artifacts.







This is a high-quality, comfortable and sweet-sounding sound that you can enjoy for hours.



In terms of genre preferences, EarSonics Blade is not very capricious: they play very interestingly both classical music, instrumental, jazz, new wave, electronica, rock, and brutal genres.








Conclusion



ES Blade is a wonderful IEM with its charm and graceful, extremely rich musical flavor. I admit, I did not expect another result from these Frenchmen. Everything here is worthy of praise: sound, chic design, highest performance (manual assembly in France!), Ergonomics and a good set.

Without a doubt, the new product from Earsonics will be as revered and beloved among audiophiles as their earlier models. And yes, ES's pricing policy also remained unchanged. In the earsonics.com online store, the Blade can be purchased for 549 €. What can I say, Europeans know the value of their creations. From myself, I will finally add that the "blessed trio" of Blade will definitely not disappoint you.